Books Read in November 2008

The only book I read this month was Flat-Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy. I wasn't making any progress reading anything so I thought I'd pick up something fast and light. Flat-Out Sexy fit the bill. It was a fun book, better than I expected seeing as I'm not really into car racing.

Weekend Update - It's Beginning to Look A Lot like Christmas

On Wednesday, I mailed about 68 Christmas cards from work. Then, the weekend really started Wednesday at 1PM when I got early dismissal from work. I stayed a little later to finish up some little tasks I knew I didn't want to be waiting for me on Monday morning. Then, I head home. It was a rough night. Little Miss woke up every couple of hours so it was challenging. She slept in bed with us for a couple of hours. Then, Husband slept on the couch with her and then I took the last leg on the couch with her.

Thursday was Thanksgiving. The photo of her sleeping was the only photo I took that day. That was before the guests came and the only brief sleep she got all day. She did sleep very well Thanksgiving night and the next night. She was great on Thanksgiving despite no nap. She loved sweet potatoes and tried everything else.

Friday, we went for our Christmas tree. We went to breakfast at IHOP. Little Miss had her weight in pancakes and French Toast. Then, we chose our tree. When we got home, Little Miss and I took an extremely long nap. Then, we woke up, ate dinner and pretty much went back to sleep. Before I went to bed, I also did 90% of our Christmas shopping, too. I found a couple of fantastic websites and did all my shopping for everyone but Nephew, Husband's godson, the inlaws and Husband.

On Saturday, it was Family Day or rather turned into Family Day. All three of us went to The Carter's Store, to Babies 'R' Us and Harris Teeter. On Saturday, we also knocked out Nephew's Christmas gift. Later, Saturday night, we watched Harold & Kumar 2: Escape from Guantanamo Bay. It was silly fun like the first one.

That brings us to Sunday. Little Miss had another challenging night last night. Today, she had breakfast with Husband while I tried in vain to get some more shut eye. We did go to the mall and picked up Inlaws' Christmas presents though. So, we only have one more to buy. Plus, I might have picked up a few things for myself. Typical football Sunday though. And onto another work week...

Gratitudes during Thanksgiving

In honor of Thanksgiving, I wanted to compile a list of things for which I am grateful. I wanted to be inspired by Susan Wiggs, but I was too much into procrastination to get out a post a day. So, here are 30 things for which I am thankful, one for each day in November. These are in no particular order.

1. my family
2. Diet Coke
3. Friday Night Lights which is the best show on television. I love Kyle Chandler. However, it is worth noting that Gaius Charles was outstanding this year as well.
4. macaroni and cheese - I'm really not a snob. I make my own sometimes, but I love the blue box, too.
5. my friends
6. second frames in bowling because sometimes you can't hit all 10 pins down the first time (or the second for that matter...)
7. hand santizer like Purell and my favorite scent, Cucumber Melon.
8. sales and coupons
9. new book smell
10. my co-workers
11. Jim Henson's legacy
12. smart, imaginative, clever people (I don't want to name any specific names because that might make the unintelligent, non-creative, dull folk feel bad so you can all just think you're a person that fits into this category.)
13. matchbox twenty for writing lyrics like "I'm sorry 'bout the attitude/ I need to give when I'm with you/ But no one else would take this shit from me/A nd I'm so/ Terrified of no one else but me/ I'm here all the time/ I won't go away" from "Long Day" and "You've been so composed/ But we all know there's/ Always something/ Tearing you apart/ Always so much longer/ Than you counted on/ It hits you so much harder/ Than you thought/ But you don't worry/ Don't worry/ Cuz you got soul" from "Soul". They aren't actually my favorite matchbox twenty songs, but they always make me feel better.
14. Aaron Sorkin at his best. I have been quoting this quote lately from The American President - "Oh, you only fight the fights you can win? You fight the fights that need fighting!"
15. Wii - now, I don't own one and probably wouldn't use it if I had one, but I love how it really brings people together. 4 generations of my family played last summer. I've been to parties where we've played. It's a lot of fun and still can be social.
16. the Internet for letting me look up things which I do not know, for giving me new recipes, for being a great resource for new parents, and for connecting me with friends with whom I had lost touch
17. Supernatural because I'm not far from being a total fangirl for Jensen Ackles
18. indoor plumbing because it's genius
19. Target for having everything I need and then some...
20. my digital camera for allowing me to take photos, delete the non-keeper photos, and for being almost indestructable
21. manicures/pedicures
22. my quilt - my quilt is 15 years old, a graduation present, and I sleep with it every night. It's the perfect balance of light cover in the summer and super cozy in the winter.
23. author websites - without naming anyone specific, it's a great marketing tool for authors to have a website and even have contact with readers. It's great for new information as well as a connection.
24. iTunes and my iPod - even though my batter died (or is close to it), I listen to my iPod every day. I love that I can have a crazy eclectic playlist and never know what song will pop up next while I'm working.
25. hot chocolate with real whipped cream
26. Bones - this show just makes me happy. The ickiness and murder appease my morbid side and the writing just makes me laugh. I felt last year wasn't its best season, but it's been really enjoyable so far this year.
27. contact lenses - not that I don't love my glasses, but I love having contact lenses
28. books
29. handbags - seriously. I love how all purses fit. I don't have to worry about size or if it'll make me look fat. It's perfect just as it is. There are big ones, small ones, casual ones, formal ones, and all sorts of colors and patterns. The one to the left is not the one I'm currently using, but it's the closest I could find. I was obsessed with the Pink Elephants pattern by Vera Bradley. Living outside of D.C. and during an election year, I was afraid the pattern would associate me with the Republican party, but I sucked it up and bought it anyway. It just makes me happy.
30. USA - which is lame, but I love living in this country, and I wouldn't live anywhere else. It's not perfect. I disagree with a lot of things going on now, in the past and, I'm sure, in the future, but its diversity is why this country is so strong.

So, there is the list of things for which I am grateful. There are things that I'm leaving out, but I wanted it to be a list of all sorts of items. Right now, I have to say I'm grateful for an empty (and almost clean) apartment and being right on schedule with the holiday planning and decorating as well as my work agenda.

Thanksgiving TV

If you know anything about me, it's that I love tv. Seriously. It makes me happy. It gives me topics of conversation. I just love it. I can't say I like good tv, but I love tv.

MSN has a list of Top 5 Thanksgiving episodes. It was a pretty good list actually. I will add that the Thanksgiving episode where President Bartlett calls the Butterball hotline was also great (Season 3) as well as the Cheers Thanksgiving episode and How I Met Your Mother and its Slapsgiving episode.

All in all, The West Wing has my favorite in Season 2. It's one of MSN's Top 5 and it is one of mine as well. Every year, Husband and I watch it. It is the only season of the show we own. Good stuff.

I Love Your Blog!

After receiving the award you are supposed to pay it forward:
1) Add the logo of your award to your blog.
2) Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4) Add links to those blogs on your blog.
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

I was nominated by Sanna for the I Love Your Blog Award. Normally, I would nominate her, but I didn't think it was fair to tag her again. However, her blog is always fun, and I love it when she posts her sewing projects. I'm very jealous of her talent.

So, here are my 7 favorites (in no particular order):

1. Brandi's Blog - a friend from middle school/high school. Blogging has a great way to catch up and see photos of the kids.
2. Jill Shalvis's Blog - Jill Shalvis is a romance author. Her books are very funny. Her heroes are yummy. Her blog is very entertaining and a great way for her to connect with her readers by sharing stories of her personal life as well as her professional life without it being only a marketing tool.
3. Kristin Hannah's Blog - Kristin Hannah is another fiction author. Her origin is with the romance genre, but nowadays, you can find her books shelved almost anywhere. Her blog is relatively new, but she spends time posting and responding to her fans.
4. Naomi's Blog - Naomi's blog centers on her writing and reading. It's nice to see which books we have in common and also on the progress of her writing. One of these days, perhaps she will inspire me to write more though I'm fairly certain procrastination will win out.
5. Stacy's Blog - Stacy's blog centers around her family and travels while her husband is stationed in Germany. It's always fascinating to read about all the things they are up to in Europe.
6. Susan Wiggs's Blog - Susan Wiggs is a romance author who blogs about books, hers and others, as well as life in general in Washington State. It's very thoughtful and always has great photos or links. This month, she is posting all things for which she is grateful. I'm hoping to be inspired to post my own gratitude post, but again, procrastination is a strong and evil force.
7. Tess Gerritsen's Blog - Tess Gerritsen is a mystery author. I was fortunate enough to see her during a booksigning tour over a year ago. Her books are fascinating. Her blog is mostly notes on her writing and travels. I really enjoy the behind-the-scenes tidbits on her books and all the things that interest her.

Cranky Cranky Cranky

Trust me, the title was worth repeating three times. Little Miss wasn't feeling well yesterday and woke up a few times last night. She would only feel happy and safe if she slept on me. If I moved her off me, she'd wake up and crawl on me again. So, I started my day very tired. It's always a short jump from very tired to very cranky. Then, today at work, I'm getting everything I need wrong. It's making me more cranky because it's not like I have a deadline (or three) coming up soon. The short week is not helping either. You'd think the short week would be a good thing, but it basically makes me do 5 days worth of work in 3 days (or 2 and a half days if we get out early on Wednesday). So, if you see me today, steer clear!

Weekend Update - I am full of the Christmas Spirit! (Does sarcasm show?)

On Friday, we decided to just hang out at home and not do our weekly grocery shoppoing. Then, we had the genius idea to have leftovers so the extra time in our Friday night was decadent. I even started to tidy up the apartment since I knew that I would have a busy weekend.

On Saturday, Husband got the oil changed and went grocery shopping while Little Miss and I hung out at home. We received her Nativity set, including The Little Drummer Boy and the Thanksgiving set. So, I've started decorating. Little Miss had has fun throwing all the Little People around. On Saturday night, a friend and I met at Ballston Mall. We ate at Chick-Fil-A which was yummy. Then, we walked around and shopped before a movie. I picked up, among other things, a penguin candle and soap dispenser. After shopping, we saw Zack and Miri Make a Porno which, if you're a Kevin Smith fan, was a pretty funny movie. I don't think it's my favorite of his, but it was a fun night out.

On Sunday, I woke up to head out to Target and then to Fair Oaks Mall. I can't even list all the things I purchased, but I did need most of it - gifts, necessities for Thanksgiving, and a CD. I met the Parents and Nephew so we could take photos of the kids. The photos were really cute. The photo studio was backed up so there was a huge possibility that the kids were going to melt down, but they didn't. So, we got a couple cute shots. I didn't purchase many because I took the above photo last week. I stayed for dinner at the Parents' house and met up with Sister. Then, I head home, tried to tidy up some more to get ready for Thanksgiving, and went to bed early. Little Miss had absolutely no routine yesterday so she was a little off.

And so concluded the weekend and transitioned into a dreaded Monday...

Shock and Awe

I decided against two posts in a row featuring a photo of a toilet.

Last night, I gave Little Miss a bath. Her new favorite thing is to splash, splash, splash. We still bathe her in the toddler tub even though she could use the big tub. I have to get a bath mat though. So, she's sitting in the toddler tub. She grabs my hand and stands. Then, she steps out of the toddler tub into the big tub, grabs the side... and poops. POOPS! I knew from the look on her face what was going on, but I didn't want to move her because it would have been worse. Meanwhile, Husband was laughing and laughing and laughing. Not helpful. After he caught his breathe, I had him take Little Miss while I cleaned and bleached.

I'm actually pretty happy she got out of the toddler tub to do her business because the bath was salvaged. Husband brought her back into the bathroom when it was sanitized. She looked at me and went, "HA!" I only wish I was joking. So, I plunked her in the toddler tub again and we started over.

Is this what everyone means when they say life is never boring after you have a child?

The Toilet Bowl

Tonight is the end of the Fall 2008 Bowling Season. Our league will have the playoff game to determine a winner of the season. It will also have a playoff game to determine the best team of the bottom 8. This special tournament is called The Toilet Bowl. My team, Nice Balls!, is in the finals of The Toilet Bowl. I want to win!

Stay tuned tomorrow for the results...

Weekend Update - We Are Family!

It was a weekend of family. On Friday, we did our usual grocery shopping. Then, I think we watched some television.

On Saturday, I woke up with Little Miss. Since her doctor's appointment last week, she is now totally on solid food - no more formula or baby food. So, she had yogurt and Cheerios for breakfast. Then, we played until it was time to go to The Silver Diner for lunch with G.G., G-Pa, Nanny, Papa, Sister, and Nephew. It's always nice for Little Miss to spend as much time with her great-grandparents and grandparents as possible. After lunch, we hung out at my parents' house before heading home for a family nap.

Saturday night, we met at Brother-in-Law and Sister-in-Law's apartment for dinner. Sister-in-Law's brother and his wife were in town, and they had yet to meet Little Miss. The In-Law's came as well. We had pizza and hung out. Then, later, In-Law's took Little Miss to their apartment while we all went bowling. I can't say I bowled well, but it was fun.

On Sunday, Husband and I slept very late. It was decadent. Then, around 12:30PM, In-Laws brought Little Miss home. She had lunch, and then we took a nap. I like to lead by example. In the afternoon, we went to Sister's house for Nephew's Gotcha Day - the day he was adopted. We bought him a rockin' kitchen set to correspond with Sister's gift of pots and pans and a ton of fake food. We stayed for dinner and bath and then head home to watch a little tv and go to bed.

Weekend Update - 1/2 Korean Weekend

On Friday, we went grocery shopping and then I pretty much went to bed with Little Miss. I meant to watch a little tv, but I fell asleep almost immediately. Because I went to bed very early, I woke up very early.

On Saturday, I didn't feel as bad so I met friends for lunch and saw Role Models. It was a good, light afternoon movie. We got to catch up and then I went home to hang with Husband and Little Miss. Before Little Miss went to bed, we decided to dress her in her hanbok and do The Choosing Game. I couldn't verify the accuracy of the site, but it looks like the items are fairly traditional. We stuck to them. I only had an open box of white rice so I put a package of yellow rice, a scarf for thread, a pencil and a $1 bill.

The hanbok was a little big, but Little Miss was adorable. The shoes didn't fit, but the dress was so long that it didn't really matter. When the hanbok does fit, we plan on getting some more photos.

Anyway, as the game dictates, Little Miss was to choose one or more items to determine her future. Each item signifies something. She will have wealth and a studious or academic future based on her choices. We'll see, but both would be nice!

Sunday was football and many naps as I still try to shake this cold.

I Need my PJs!

I'm coming down with something. I don't feel like I've hit rock bottom yet, but I definitely feel not up to speed. For lunch, I went to Whole Foods and picked up some chicken noodle soup and corn bread. It does seem to be doing my throat some good. I've been using the hand sanitizer like mad. The chicken soup seems to be working, but I really want to get into my pajamas and snuggle in bed. What do you like to do when you're feeling off your game?

Hail to the Chief!

Yesterday was Little Miss's first Presidential election. She won't be able to vote for another 17 years, but she watched the beginning of history being made. It'll be interesting to see all the changes that happen in the next 17 years and how politics affect her life and what political views she may hold.

Weekend Update - Road Trip

On Sunday, we drove up to Connecticut for Nana's funeral. It was Mom, Dad, Sister, Nephew, Little Miss and I in the minivan. We stopped three times for lunch, snack, and dinner. The kids were great. They (as well as we) got a little car-crazy by the end, but it was a nine and a half hour drive. Who can blame them?

Monday morning was the funeral. It was nice to see so many people who remembered Nana and who came in support of the family. It was also nice to be around family even if it was under these circumstances. Little Miss napped through most of the service and only woke before we drove to the cemetary because Dad and I were awkward in putting on her coat.


After the cemetary, we all ate too much and talked. Little Miss had fun with Nephew and Cousins. She liked the attention and all the new sights. We all went to bed early for our long car ride back on Tuesday.

We got an earlier start on Tuesday and only stopped once on the way back, but we hit bad rush hour traffic on the way back and were all happy to be home.

Weekend Update - Boo!

Last Friday, I took a half day of vacation time to celebrate Little Miss's first Halloween dressed up. Because she was born in the Year of the Pig (Boar) Little Miss was Piglet. She was a good sport in her costume. We met In-Laws, Brother-in-Law, Nephew and Sister at the mall. The mall is great because each store gives out candy and/or goodies for Halloween. We spent a couple of hours there. Then, at one point, Nephew had enough, and Little Miss fell asleep. So, In-Laws, Husband, Little Miss and I went to dinner at Champps Restaurant.

After dinner, we went to Mom and Dad's house for a bunch of hours. Nephew was with them. He was still on his sugar high. Nephew played with Husband for quite some time while Little Miss spent time with her grandparents. We got home a little before midnight and were exhausted.

On Saturday, we all went grocery shopping and then I packed for Little Miss and my trip to Connecticut. It was a quiet day before our big car ride on Sunday.

Blog on Hold

I'm heading out of town for the next couple of days. Husband and I voted early so don't think we neglected our civic duty. Mom, Dad, Sister, Nephew, Little Miss and I are heading to Connecticut to pay our respects to Nana. We're driving up momentarily. So, the Halloween post will have to wait. Here is the family photo in the meantime:

Books Read in October 2008

1. No Escapeby Shannon K. Butcher. (NOTE: This is the last of a trilogy. Book 1 is No Regrets and Book 2 is Book 2 is No Control.)
2. The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen.


This was a small month for reading, but the books were quality books. I'd been looking forward to reading both for awhile. I was nervous about No Escape as Grant was my favorite character leading up to this book. I was afraid that he wouldn't deliver when it came time for his own book, but his book was well done. The Keepsake was excellent as well. Tess Gerritsen is always a good bet for a good read. Hopefully, November will bring me more books or more time to read. I've got the books...